How to plan Disney

[MMCamp]

We are going to Orlando in October for 2 weeks. We have been before and did the Unofficial Tour Guides with great success with our last WDW trip being in 2010. Because our kids are older our major focus for this trip has been Universal for the HP attractions but I am starting to realize that I have done minimal Disney planning and I'm starting to get worried.

We don't have to plan meals this time as we are staying off site but what other plans do I need to worry about? Fast passes? Out last trip we got them at the ride. How early and how do I go about booking FP. We will buy tickets from UT in the next week or two. Do I have to have them bought to reserve FP?

Our last trips I had things planned and knew where we would be each day but I'm not sure if that is necessary this trip. TBH I'm a bit resentful of paying the price of WDW tickets when I know m family is more focused on US but no one really wants to miss WDW since we will be right there. We will likely buy 4 day tickets. Any advice?

 

[pooh4evr]

Since you are staying offsite, your fastpass window will open up 30 days from your stay, you do not get them at the rides anymore, and yes you have to have your tickets linked to your MDE account before you can book your FP's. All are booked online before your trip or the day of in the park at a kiosk. You start with 3 per day in 1 park, after you have used those you can get another one and so in. October can be sort of busy, because so many schools now have fall breaks usually lined up with Columbus Day. Go to easywdw, and use his crowd calendar for your best park days.

 

[MMCamp]

Thank you!

 

[sharonabe]

easywdw.com will also have their version of a touring plan with tips on what FP+ to try to get. He calls them cheat sheets.

You may also want to search for mesaboy's thread on FP+ How To's.

 

[Hootch]

I'm a big fan of easywdw. I like that Josh walks through his proposed touring plans periodically and reports how it works. Another site that is worth going to is **************.com. Josh and Dave have written a book to help people plan, The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit.

This is also a great post on how to handle FP+.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fa...ed-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/